The UFC flyweight belt is in the spotlight tonight as champion Deiveson Figuerido defends against upcoming challenger Alex Perez in Las Vegas.
Mike Perry missed weight, which means his opponent Tim Means will collect a percentage of his purse.
Kenai Andrews checks in with his thoughts on the card.
UFC FIGHT PASS PRELIMS (6:30 PM/3:30PM PT)
LOUIS COSCE (7-0-0) VS. SASHA PALATNIKOV (5-2-0)
Andrews: Both guys are making their debuts, but Cosce is coming from a good showing on DWCS. He’s a finisher and I think he’s more apt to shake off the octagon jitters and collect the finish.
Andrews Prediction: Louis Cosce via TKO
KYLE DAUKAUS (9-1-0) VS. DUSTIN STOLTZFUS (13-1-0)
Andrews: Daukaus lost his octagon debut and now welcomes Dustin to the UFC. Can Kyle get the fight to the ground? If he can, he probably wins, but I think although he has the size advantage, he gets hit too much by Stoltzfus.
Andrews Prediction: Dustin Stoltzfus via UD
ALAN JOUBAN (16-7-0) VS. JARED GOODEN (17-4-0)
Andrews: Jouban is an entertaining veteran, but he’s 37 now and lost three of his last four fights. He is still competitive, but I think Gooden comes in and puts him away.
Andrews Prediction: Jared Gooden via TKO
UFC 255 PRELIMS (8PM ET/5PM PT)
NICOLAS DALBY (18-3-1) VS. DANIEL RODRIGUEZ (13-1-0)
Andrews: Dalby is good, but I think Rodriguez scores a knockout.
Andrews Prediction: Daniel Rodriguez via TKO
ANTONIA SHEVCHENKO (8-2-0) VS. ARIANE LIPSKI (13-5-0)
Andrews: We all remember that awesome kneebar submission by Lipski in her last fight. Can she repeat that performance against a Shevchenko? Probably not, but she still has enough to weather the storm and pile up enough points to win here.
Andrews Prediction: Ariane Lipski via UD
JOAQUIN BUCKLEY (11-3-0) VS. JORDAN WRIGHT (11-0-0)
Andrews: Buckley had a nice win in his last bout, but “The Beverly Hills Ninja” takes care of business.
Andrews Prediction: Jordan Wright via TKO
BRANDON MORENO (17-5-1) VS. BRANDON ROYVAL (12-4-0)
Andrews: This should be a good scrap After the dust settles, Royval should be the one standing.
Andrews Prediction: Brandon Royval via UD
UFC 255 MAIN CARD (10PM ET/7PM PT)
MAURICO RUA (27-11-1) VS. PAUL CRAIG (13-4-1)
Andrews: Can Craig get the fight to the ground? If he can’t, Rya should be able to get the striking decision.
Andrews Prediction: Mauricio Rua via UD
KATLYN CHOOKAGIAN (14-4-0) VS. CYNTHIA CALVILLO (9-1-1)
Andrews: Calvillo uses her grappling and takedowns to nullify the striking of Katlyn.
Andrews Prediction: Cynthia Calvillo via UD
TIM MEANS (30-12-1, 1NC) VS. MIKE PERRY (14-6-0)
Andrews: Perry missed weight and this messes up everything. If he’s ready, he knocks out Means.
Andrews Prediction: Mike Perry via TKO
VALENTINA SHEVCHENKO (19-3-1) VS. JENNIFER MAIA (18-4-0)
Andrews: Shevchenko is too strong, and I don’t think Maia can get the fight to the ground long enough.
Andrews Prediction: Valentina Shevchenko via TKO
MAIN EVENT
DEIVESON FIGUEIREDO (19-1-0) VS. ALEX PEREZ (24-5-0)
Andrews: Deiveson overcomes the early leg kicks of Perez to pile up the points, much like Benavidez.
Andrews Prediction: Deiveson Figueiredo via TKO
